When is the last episode of Neighbours on? All you need to know as the Aussie soap ceases filming

The last episode of Neighbours airs sooner than you think...

It was a sad day for Neighbours fans in March when it was announced that the popular Australian soap was ending after 37 years and 9,000 episodes. Viewers first started worrying that Neighbours was at risk when it was cancelled earlier this year. And two months later bosses confirmed the end was nigh, with them unable to secure a new broadcast partner or alternative funding for the show.

Now the famous Ramsay Street and its cast have finished filming once and for all. After the soap aired its final episode for fans in Australia, we look at when the soap is set to air it's final episode in the UK, which is set to star none other than original stars Kylie and Jason who have since announced they are re-releasing their duet Especially For You...

When is the last episode of Neighbours on?

UK viewers can watch the last episode of Neighbours with a double-episode special on Channel 5 at 9pm on July 29. The finale will be an hour long in length. The soap confirmed that filming had officially wrapped on June 10, sharing a photo of the cast together on set for the last time.

The caption read "that's a wrap!" and featured stars including Ryan Moloney (Toadie) and Alan Fletcher (Dr Karl Kennedy) with his hair loss.

Filming has stayed in line with the schedule as bosses confirmed in March that "Neighbours will cease production in June".

Neighbours star Stefan Dennis - known for playing baddie Paul Robinson - reflected on his last day of filming on set. 

“It’s a melancholy day for me,” he told Studio 10. “I sort of closed the studio door behind me on my very last scene, my very last dialogue scene and... I suddenly surprised myself by getting incredibly emotional."

What famous guest stars are returning for the last episode of Neighbours?

• Kylie Minogue will return as Charlene Mitchell
• Jason Donovan will return as Scott Robinson
• Ian Smith will return as Harold Bishop
• Peter O'Brien will return as Shane Ramsay (from 1st episode)
• Mark Little will return as Joe Mangal
• Paul Keane will return as Des Clarke
• Chris Milligan will return as Kyle Canning
• Morgan Baker will return as Callum Rebecchi
• Natalie Bassingthwaighte will return as Izzy Hoyland
• James Mason will return as Chris Pappas
• Pippa Black will return as Elle Robinson
• Jordan Patrick Smith will return as Andrew Robinson
• Olympia Valance will return as Paige Smith
• Jodi Anasta will return as Elly Conway
• Zoe Cramond will return as Amy Williams
• Kate Kendall will return as Lauren Turner
• Ben Hall will return as Ned Willis
• Olivia Junkeer will return as Yashvi Rebecchi
• Zima Anderson will return as Roxy Willis

One video surfaced on TikTok in May from a fan who believed to have capture Kylie and Jason on set as their respective Neighbours characters. 

@thatwasjordan

♬ original sound - Jordan Long Devin

And since the final episode has already aired Down Under, Neighbours has shared some teaser clips from its live tweeting, including one that everyone wants to see - Kylie and Jason cosying up.

And fans have gone wild for the piece of nostalgia. "The look of love!" wrote one fan.

Another fan put, "I feel like I’m 12 years old again.."

While a third fan added, "They WERE Neighbours!"

What has Kylie Minogue said about Neighbours being axed?

Kylie Minogue, who played Charlene on the soap, has tweeted her gratitude for the soap which helped launch her pop career. She wrote, "I’ll be forever grateful for the experience & the friends I made on @neighbours."

Continuing her tribute, she penned, "We had no idea how big the show would become and how passionately viewers would take it to heart. Pure love! 💞🏡 I can still hear Madge calling … CHARLENE!!!!"

And ahead of the final episode airing, Kylie tweeted, "LOVERS… It’s almost time for the finale!! Are you ready…?? #CelebratingNeighbours #Neighbours @neighbours"

When did Neighbours leave the BBC?

Neighbours left the BBC in February 2008 after airing on the channel for more than 21 years since its first episode back in October 1986.

At the time, the BBC said in a statement: "We have this afternoon formally withdrawn from the bidding for Neighbours.

"The BBC has had a long and fruitful relationship with Neighbours, which has transmitted on BBC1 for 21 years, and this has come to an end because of an unrealistic price demand.

"We do not believe that we could have justified to BBC viewers a price tag of what would have amounted to some £300m across the term of the contract. Paying that sum would also have compromised our ability to invest in new original programmes. We made a fair offer and are sad that we have not been able to reach terms with Fremantle."

Is Neighbours still on in Australia?

Yes, Neighbours is currently still on in Australia but just like in the UK this will only be on air until August 2022. Channel 10 continues its commitment to screen the show in Australia (having moved it a few years ago from the main channel to Ten Peach), but the budget for making the show (while tiny in TV terms) relies on the UK sale.

As a result the Australian soap will cease filming after 37 years after producers Fremantle failed to secure another UK broadcaster.

Who wrote the Neighbours theme tune?

The Neighbours theme tune was composed by Tony Hatch and the lyrics written by his then wife Jackie Trent. It was once voted the world's most recognisable theme tune. The vocals were originally recorded by Barry Crocker, who also recorded the updated version but since then subsequent versions have been recorded by a variety of artists.

What is Neighbours: The Farewell Tour?

Neighbour's production company FremantleMedia and live events company Maple Tree Entertainment have announced a special show coming to the UK to celebrate Neighbours and the end of an era. 

Fans will be able to meet and greet with some of the show's most popular stars and enjoy Q&A sessions.

Originally titled Neighbours: Live in Conversation, the show was set to come to London's West End in 2020 - but was ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic.

Now the rescheduled show - renamed Neighbours: The Farewell Tour - will be coming to the UK in March 2023, with seven additional dates added:

• Friday, March 3 - The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• Monday, March 6 - Manchester Bridgewater Hall
• Wednesday, March 8 - Edinburgh Festival Theatre
• Friday, March 10 - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
• Sunday, March 12 - Cardiff St David’s Hall
• Tuesday, March 14 - London Palladium Theatre
• Thursday, March 16 - Birmingham Symphony Hall
• Saturday, March 17 - Brighton Centre
• Sunday, March 18 - Southampton Mayflower Theatre
• Monday, March 20 - Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

Tickets will be available to purchase via Maple Tree Entertainment. General sale for all venues starts on June 17, with an exclusive pre-sale available on June 15.

You can watch Neighbours on weekdays on Channel 5 at 1.45pm and the same episode is repeated 5.30pm and on catch up on My5.

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